Nursing students' knowledge assessment regarding COVID-19

Abstract

Background:The COVID-19 is known as the foremost threat to humankind since the Second World War, and the most important global health catastrophe of the century. Aim: the aim of this study was assessment of knowledge of nursing students regarding COVID-19. Design: Cross-sectional descriptive study A descriptive study design was used. Sample: A stratified simple random sample of 334 nursing students. Setting: Sohag faculty of nursing. Tools: An electronic questionnaire was used it included two parts, Part I: Demographic data of the nursing students; this part is composed of 5 questions covering: name, gender, residence and academic level/year. (Q1-Q5). Part II: Assessment of nursing students' knowledge regarding COVID-19(Q6-Q17): it included information about concept of COVID-19, modes of transmission, clinical symptoms, risk groups, vaccine and treatment. Results: 91.6% of them reported that COVID-19 can be transmitted through close contact, eating wild and drinking. 69.2% of them were unable to differentiate between COVID-19 and common cold signs and symptoms. Total satisfactory knowledge of nursing students regarding COVID-19 was 64%. Conclusion: More than one-third of nursing students had unsatisfactory knowledge about COVID-19. Recommendation: posters about difference between clinical symptoms of COVID-19 and common cold should be placed at placed at university.